Hotel Empress Zoe

Frommer's Review

This hotel, designed and hand-painted by the owner Anne's Greek brother-in-law, is a master creation drawing from Byzantium and Anatolia, with a little bit of Santa Fe thrown in for good measure. The hotel overlooks the crumbling remnants of the oldest hamam in the city, and from the rooftop terrace, the only obstruction is the Marmara Sea. Access to the rooms is via a narrow circular iron staircase -- good to know if traveling light wasn't on this trip's agenda. If you do hurt your back on the way up, you'll be pleased to find extremely comfortable beds when you make it to your room. Because the hotel combines three separate houses (the most recent addition creates an annex of four garden suites), it benefits from a number of secluded courtyards and panoramic terraces. The rooftop bar is warmly draped in deeply colored Turkish kilims and blankets, and there's a fireplace for those crisp winter evenings.

Facilities:
3 bars; nonsmoking rooms

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.